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Have you ever come across a passage in the Bible that describes the exact situation you are in? This is not a coincidence, it is an illustration of the great message of the Bible. In this sermon on Isaiah 22: 8-14, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines the problems that Israel had in this passage, recognizes how similar they are to the problems of today, and explains that the answer to Israel’s problem is the same answer to the problems of today. In this passage, Israel is about to be attacked by the Assyrians, and they become no longer blind to their weaknesses and problems of their country. They had previously neglected their weaknesses but this led to “breaches in their wall”. It is the same with countries today; we don’t realize that we are in serious need of protection and think that everything is alright, until we are in times of trouble. Our reaction to this “unveiling” is the same as Israel’s as well. We become frantic and busy and start trying to figure out solutions, but in the end our actions are futile and it all fails. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones further addresses three reasons why these actions fail: just like Israel, we fail to see the moral character of our problem, we fail to realize the religious character of our problem, and we fail to see the profound and radical character of the problem. He explains that man’s trouble is in his heart and it cannot be fixed by just a little adjustment here and there, he has to be made a new made by God and turn to his maker. You need true repentance to fix the problems. The world is what it is because we have forgotten him.
What does it mean that the Lord has conquered Edom? In this sermon from Isaiah 63:1–6 titled “Revival Sermon: The Crowning Day is Coming,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the prophecy of Isaiah where God has conquered Edom, the enemy of Israel. This prophecy looks forward to the day when God will destroy all the enemies of His people and those that persecute the church. He does this by dying upon the cross for sinners. Jesus Christ is the means of overcoming sin, evil, and the devil. Jesus has come to make sinners righteous by granting them His righteousness and adopting them into God’s family. All this is seen in God overcoming Edom. What does this mean for the Christian’s everyday life? This declaration of what God has done in Jesus Christ is the great and only hope. The truth that God has saved His people by His own hand is at the heart of the gospel because Jesus alone saves. It also tells that all who reject the gospel are enemies of God and under His judgment. The only escape from the wrath of God is through faith in Christ. This sermon is a call for all to believe in Jesus.
Has God turned His back on the church? Why does it seem that the people of God are powerless today? In this sermon on Isaiah 63:15–19 titled “Revival Sermon: Wrestling for the Power,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds upon a prayer of Isaiah in which the prophet recognizes the character of God and reviews the history of His people. In the prayer is found hope for the people of Israel, but more importantly, the Christian finds hope for themselves. Dr. Lloyd-Jones covers the characteristics of Isaiah’s prayer to show what prayers should contain. He notes the prayer’s urgency, importunity, emotion, and pleading. Isaiah is wrestling with God in his prayer—pleading for the nation of Israel, deeply aware of their sins and yet boldly petitioning God to have mercy. Isaiah begins by worshiping God, and then he notes his subsisting relationship with God. He asks where God’s strength and mercy are to be found. Finally, he pleads with God to look again upon His people and have mercy on them. Dr. Lloyd-Jones takes time to carefully explain some difficult words of the prayer in which Isaiah asks why God has hardened their hearts.
What separates humanity from God? In this sermon on Isaiah 40:25–28 titled “The Character of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones responds that the answer is God’s holiness. Because all of humanity is sinful and fallen, they are alienated from God. Sinners cannot approach God or stand before Him because they are unclean and unholy. How then can anyone come before God? The answer is found not in what humanity can do, but in what God does. For God is both the just and the justifier in the salvation of humanity by sending His Son into the world to die in the place of sinners. Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, was born of a virgin and died in the place of sinners, bearing their sins upon Himself. All who believe in Christ receive the great benefits of salvation and are made right before God. How can anyone stand before a holy God? The answer is that they stand before God by standing in the righteousness of Christ Jesus and are found by God to be in Christ. The great truth of the gospel is that although people are sinful and vile, God makes them clean by sending His Son to die in their place on order that they might have life everlasting.
How does the Bible describe the folly of sinful people? While many today claim that to reject God and His revelation is to become enlightened, the Bible denounces unbelief as spiritually bankrupt and foolish. In this sermon on Isaiah 40:18–24 titled “To Whom then Will Ye Liken God?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches the biblical truth that those who reject God inevitably fashion an idol of their own making; whether it is politics, money, power, or fame, everybody worships something. The question is not: “do you worship something?” But the question is: “what do you worship?” The Bible calls all idols what there are: lifeless images that cannot save in the time of need. They are deaf, dumb, blind, and mute. But the God of Scripture is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He hears the prayers of His people and saves them from their sins. God has not abandoned humanity in the midst of their idol worship and spiritual rebellion, but has sent Jesus Christ into the world to die for sinners. Jesus has come and died so that all who believe in Him would not perish but live as children of God. The sermon calls all to forsake their idols and worship the true and living God in His Son, Jesus Christ.
What does the prayer of Isaiah teach about God and the church? Isaiah prays to God in a time of dire need and crisis. In this sermon from Isaiah 63:7–9 titled “Revival Sermon: Where Is He?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks to this prayer as an example that the church ought to follow. The church must recognize that they pray to a just and holy God who hears their every prayer. God is not a God who is far off. God calls His people to trust in His holy name and to believe that He will uphold them through the midst of the greatest trials and temptations. But when the church does not trust in God and His power, they turn to worldly and vain philosophies. This is the greatest danger to the church in every age: reliance on everything other than God. The history of the church shows how destructive this is. The answer is always to trust that God will do what He has promised to do through Jesus Christ in the gospel. This sermon convicts and encourages the church in its God-given mission to take the gospel to the ends of the earth for the glory of Christ.
The gospel like a trapped city hearing of coming deliverance. In this sermon on Isaiah 52:1–3 titled “Saved By Grace,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares that this joy produced by the news of Scripture is a great characteristic of the gospel and the story of the Bible is seen in this passage. First, that people are fools. They have rebelled against God and chosen lesser things over the all-satisfying goodness of who He is. Second, salvation is entirely of God’s grace. To understand this point, and the whole of the gospel, one must understand what is wrong with humanity. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that they have sold their souls to sin and are slaves to it. But praise be to God, this is not the end of the story. Though they have nothing to pay, God can and will redeem them. In this passage, He says that Christians are redeemed without money. First, because they ultimately have nothing to pay. They are broken sinners with nothing to bring before God. Second, redemption is without money because it has already been paid for on the cross of Jesus Christ. All that is required is to repent from one’s sins and disobedience against God and belief in the gospel. This, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, is what brings deliverance from sin and peace with God for this life and the next.
It is common to hear that the Bible is outdated, that it was written so long ago that it no longer has any relevance for the “advanced” world today. The Bible has one clear message throughout— why the world is as it is, and how it can be fixed. In this sermon on Isaiah 5:1–7 titled “A Free Salvation,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reminds that far from being too old and irrelevant, Scripture is the only tool one can use to help the state of the world today because it speaks to the core questions and desires with which every generation from the dawn of time has wrestled. The first point the passage addresses is the root of the issues faced today. Humanity’s ultimate trouble, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, is that they do not know and believe the truth about themselves, and thus act accordingly. This passage reinforces the idea that people are not evolved animals but rather beings created in the image of God. The second point touches on the unreasonable nature of human behavior and conduct in light of what God has revealed about Himself. Third, Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that human conduct is inexcusable— God has done everything that could be done for them, and yet they still choose rebellion. The solution is repentance from sins—turning from disobedience against God and His commands—and trusting in Jesus for forgiveness of sins.
In his book, the prophet Isaiah demonstrates deep concern for the City of God. In this sermon on Isaiah 62:6–7 titled “Revival Sermon: Praying for the Power,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones stresses that today Christians should be just as concerned for the church and God’s people. The church is the bride of Christ, the City of God, and His dwelling place. He suggests that if Christians don’t have the same concern Isaiah had, perhaps it is because they don’t possess the right conception of the church. And if they don’t, they cannot love it the way Christ does. Isaiah has a burdened heart; a heart broken over the state of the remnant of God’s people. He prays to the Lord and pleads with the people to remember His goodness and mercy. When the church seems to be only a remnant, weak and small, Christians must remember that she is a holy people; the place where God dwells. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out a few areas where Christians must act upon their concern for the church such as doctrine, prayer, and evangelism. He reminds to pray for revival and encourage others to do the same. In doing so, Christians are to remind God of His own promises and what He has said about Zion, the City of David, and His church.
Sin has different symptoms. Some sins manifest in drunkenness and some manifest in self-righteousness, but everyone has to grapple with the sin that is found in the unconverted heart. In this sermon on Isaiah 5:22–23 titled “The Victim of Sin,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on the fact that sin is no respecter of persons. It affects the rich, poor, intellectual, and simple. There is no strata of humanity that is unaffected by sin and its consequences. Moreover, wherever sin is found there is also a silencing of a God-given conscience. When a person gives themselves daily to drunkenness, or any other sin, they eventually put a gag in the mouth of their conscience until they completely excuse their sin. Moreover, sin’s pleasure is fleeting: one must go deeper into more unnatural sin in order to get the same high with which they started. When this kind of gratuitous sin occurs in a society, it gives way to a culture that not only sins, but also approves of sin and calls it righteous. Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses civilizations of the earth and points out that no culture has made headway in conquering sin. Listen in to hear how Christ offers forgiveness to everyone who is caught in sin.
What is one of the greatest errors when people talk and think about God? In this sermon on Isaiah 40:12–17 titled “Behold Your God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches that it is the assumption that God is like people. This tendency is seen in the way that humanity set themselves up as judges of Scripture, and how they question the goodness of God. This human-centered way of thinking puts God second and people first. But Scripture gives a different picture of how people are to approach God. In Scripture, God stands above all humanity and exists in unapproachable light. God is glorious and holy. Sinful people cannot even look at Him, lest they be consumed. How then are sinful and fallen people to relate to God? The answer is found in the glorious truth of the gospel. God sends His Son Jesus Christ into the world to die for sinners that they might be righteous. God cannot even look at evil, yet in the gospel He makes what was evil good through the work of Christ. How can anyone stand before God? The answer is by believing in the gospel of Jesus Christ and confessing one’s sin before God. Then they are declared righteous by God’s grace.
Materialism is a trap so subtle that most probably do not even realize they are bound to it. It calls from every crevice of the culture and seeks to measure life by this world, its focus entirely on the here-and-now and what can be gained, from riches, to popularity, to belongings. In this sermon on Isaiah 5:8–10 titled “This Modern Condition,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches a warning against this trap, reminding of the dangers of living in a mindset enraptured by this temporary world. Every second Christians spend longing for the world is a second they are not gazing on the goodness of their God. What are some things he urges the listener to note? First, materialism’s smallness—it takes all of life and measures it by what someone has. Second, it is selfish—the logical outcome of this worldview is for a person to think entirely of themselves and their existence here and how they can progress. What causes materialism? Ultimately, that God is not in a person’s thoughts. Naturally, when people cease thinking eternally, they begin to focus on this world more. Scripture issues several warnings against this, and God has acted on these warnings throughout history. Dr. Lloyd-Jones exhorts the listener to care for their souls and to not put off addressing spiritual things. After all, what advantage is it to someone if they gain all this world has and yet loses their soul in the end?
What a truly awe-inspiring thought that the God of the universe, the Creator, has called sinful humans to come to Him. In this sermon on Isaiah 1:16–18 titled “The Terms of Judgment,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reminds of the incredible offer from God Himself to come before Him. In this passage, God calls sinners to reason with Him, to have a discussion about their sins. Yet there is another element to this— a challenge. Because He is the maker, God is just to demand what He does. Because people have disobeyed Him, the punishment for their sins is just. What silences this, though, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes note, is the grace of God’s offer that follows this challenge. All need clean hands and a pure heart to stand before God, yet because every one has the guilt of sin staining them, they cannot merit this forgiveness on their own. But, as Isaiah states in this passage, Jesus has offered to take sins that are as red as scarlet and make them as white as snow. As the old hymn communicates so poetically, there is a fountain filled with blood that is drawn from Emmanuel’s veins. Yet, sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains. Trust in Jesus today for forgiveness from sins.
The devil wants to keep all people from God. In this sermon, learn how the devil keeps people from knowing God and from knowing what true Christianity is. In this sermon from Isaiah 40:3–5 titled “What is Christianity?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses the true and living God and that the love and power of God are displayed in salvation. Discover where Christ comes into the picture and why it is vital that all have a personal relationship with Him. The Christian position is centralized around the salvation offered to them through Christ Jesus Himself. Endless blessings are given directly from God to His own children, but these blessings must come through Christ. One cannot only know about God and believe in Him while dismissing Christ. The Christian message stands absolutely alone and all other religions and cults fall short. It is only in the wisdom of God that His love is displayed in the sacrificing of His own Son. God pardons and changes the lives of those who believe. Christians are not only “good people” but a unique humility must first come so that the blessing of God may be poured out.
In this sermon on Isaiah 1:5–6 titled “Man in Sin,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses the need to know the cause of humanity’s troubles in order to begin to understand the proper remedy. Ease, deliverance, and happiness are often enemies of a proper diagnosis. He calls the listener to come face to face with the cause of their ills and see the root of the problems that trouble lives today. The true character, nature, and consequences of sin are examined as they affect the whole of life. Humanity is made blind by sin; all have sinned and are under the very same condemnation. The head and heart are affected by this sin – there is not a part of anyone that goes untouched by sin. Learn of the terrible power of sin against correction, teaching, and trials. The exceeding depth of sin is seen in the increased rebellion against what is good and right. Do not be driven into further arrogance in sin and recognize that all need an entire renovation and this is the very thing God offers through His only Son. The power of the devil is greater than that of humanity; God alone can deliver from this power. Receive this salvation and be delivered from the power of sin.
The hymn writer Charles Wesley famously wrote a Christmas hymn about Jesus Christ, saying, “born a child and yet a king.” In this sermon “For Unto Us a Child is Born,” from Isaiah 9:6-7, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones finds this as the great summation of the prophet Isaiah’s announcement 800 years before the coming of the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6–7. In this Christmas sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds of the kingly aspect of the good news. He warns that while the personal aspect of salvation must never be forgotten, it must not stop there. Isaiah preaches the cosmic aspect of the coming Messiah. Christians are indeed saved individually, but there is a day coming when the entire cosmos will be restored. Jesus is the universal king of the cosmos for He was David’s greater son. There was great anticipation of the son of David. Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates how many in the first century missed the characteristics of the Messiah’s coming. Jesus Christ’s first advent was not one of military might and power politics. Instead, He was born a child and yet a king. Nevertheless, Christ introduces justice, righteousness, truth, order, and peace. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explores the cosmic truth of the child born in Bethlehem. Hear proclaimed the coming of King Jesus and His rule for which there will be no end.
The Christian life is altogether the work of God, not humanity. God’s word is from Him and to those waging warfare against Him. In this sermon on Isaiah 40:1–2 titled “A State of Warfare,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses sin, peace, and the mark of a true Christian that separates them from all others. Humanity is not what it was meant to be—iniquity is a perversion and wrongness that completely misses God’s mark. No one can buy or learn peace. The world searches for peace by their own means, but sin is a hard taskmaster. The greatest folly of humanity is thinking that they can bring real peace within themselves or outside of themselves, while forgetting God. This sermon is unlike many other messages—it is a message of comfort, not a call for anyone to save themselves but to receive a new life and be made into a new creature. The mark of God’s own people is a unique recognition and confession of their own sin. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones calls all to a standard of biblical ownership, so that they no longer shift the blame for personal sin to God, others, or circumstances.
How has God turned the wisdom of the world into foolishness? The answer is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the opposite of what the world tells is wise and mighty. In this sermon on Isaiah 40:13–14 titled “The Wisdom of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones confronts the worldly pursuit of high-minded thinkers and well-educated leaders. Jesus came from a lowly family in Nazareth. He did not bring a message for the wise and proud, but for the lowly and humble. He did not come to conquer with an army, but to die for the sins of many and to deliver them from Satan. The cross is foolishness to the wise, as the apostle Paul says. What does this mean for Christians today? It means that Christians must not look to worldly wisdom and authority to spread the message of Christ, but they should come as servants as Jesus Himself did. The church cannot become like the world to reach the world, for Jesus never changed who He was and instead He trusted God the Father and did all that He commanded of Him. Christians must trust in the humble power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, not the vain and passing wisdom of this world.
Sin affects everything and its results are seen in many of the difficult daily patterns of life. In this sermon on Isaiah 1:7–8 titled “Enslaved by Sin,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches on sin and how its consequences reach into every area of existence. When disasters strike, people often wonder about the reason behind why something like that happens. Sin alone explains the state of the world as it is in complete rebellion to God and His character. Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds on the attractiveness of sin and how it is endlessly deceptive— Christians know that the wrong choices they make will result in bad things, and yet still choose to do them, even though it never keeps its promises to fulfill. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also points out how sin never gives anything of value but instead robs of what is best. After this, sin leaves the sinner alone and isolated. In contrast, consider the promises and the call to life in the gospels that Jesus extends to those who are lost. Unlike the problems of sin, Jesus promises to never leave His people, and He fulfills the promises He makes. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds unbelievers of the kind of life available in Christ.
Why should one listen to the message of the prophets and of holy Scripture? In an age of doubt and the rationalistic criticism of Scripture, this remains a vital question for the church and all believers. In this sermon on Isaiah 1:1–2 titled “As Revealed by the Prophets,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the nature of Scripture as the word of God given through the apostles and prophets. God gives His word to His people in times of need and guidance. This word from God is the only reason that the church has any authority to speak to the world and call it to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The message of the church is that Jesus Christ has died for sinners so that they might be righteous and children of God. All who repent and believe in Jesus are saved from sin and the wrath of God. This message of salvation confronts the world in its fallenness and brokenness and tells of the God who has died for the world. God’s revelation is the only reason that the church can stand and proclaim this great truth that Jesus has come and died for sinners. This sermon confronts all that they need to repent and believe in Jesus Christ.
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